A mild pincer movement is underway this week on current Today custodian Sarah Sands, with The Times having a pop at Today-Lite, and former editor Roger Mosey handing out a B- (?-) from the Master's Lodge at Selwyn College, Cambridge.
Should the programme be like "an ambassador's reception" ? Book star names first (Martin Amis, Judi Dench, John Le Carre, Mel Brooks, etc) then work out what to ask them ? Can the old leviathian really do light touch wry humour (Nigel Havers on the unpopularity of his Christian name) ? Where have NACRO, the Joseph Rowntree Trust, the IPPR all gone ?
The programme over the last two years has started boxing itself in with regular slots - the puzzle, Nature Notes, anniversary features, Jim on books, and a semi-official arts slot around 8.20, as required by the DG. There are fewer and fewer news blanks for the day and night team to fill. Sarah has self-avowedly tilted the rudder to fashion (without the photographs that made it an obvious win for the Evening Standard), but her other manouevres will be confusing staff and listeners alike.
The programme has a very healthy roster of presenters - so why try out Stephanie Flanders (days before she moves to broadcaster rival Bloomberg) and Christiane Amanpour of CNN, in full-term rather than August ? Can Sarah express her editorial direction for the programme clearly and succinctly - or does she just talk ?
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